A household budget is not hard to prepare, but it can be hard to stick to.

As you sit down with your spouse to put together a budget, you might think: We already live frugally. How can we cut back on our expenses any further?

But even the thriftiest of households can find small ways of reducing expenses. Look at your household budget carefully. Look at all the things you spend money on, and take a few minutes to look at each item specifically.

Even if it’s already a low number, think about ways you could make it lower. Brainstorm with your spouse.

There are a number of books that can help you with your household budget. You shouldn’t buy these books if you can borrow them from the library for free. In fact, there’s your first money-saving tip: use the library rather than buying books!

Seriously, go to the library, it’s a place where lots of people go to learn really cool things, and there are great books there that do offer some very good advice for saving a few dollars here and there.

First look at your food expenses. This is probably the most elastic expense you have. Switch to the generic versions of everything you buy. In almost every case, the generic version is just as good as the name-brand one, but often at half the price.

In particular, notice the generic or store versions of over-the-counter medicine. The active ingredients are exactly the same, and in the exact same proportions, so there is literally no reason to buy the more famous name brand.

What are you buying regularly that you don’t need to buy? If you buy bottled water, quit. Buy a water-filtration pitcher and use tap water instead.

If you buy a lot of soft drinks, consider switching to good ol’ water instead. If you’re a smoker, calculate how much you spend on cigarettes in a month. If the health reasons don’t convince you to quit, maybe the financial ones will!

In every instance, look for ways to get a better price. You should routinely check with competitors every six months or so to see if you can get a better deal on your car insurance, cable or satellite, and other bills.

Speaking of cable and satellite, are you paying for more channels than you actually use? Can you switch to a less expensive package? Check into your options.

Do you spend a lot on long-distance phone calls? You shouldn’t. Look around at all the deals. You can get long-distance for 5 cents a minute. Or even better, chat online with your friends in faraway places, at no cost using Skype.

If your bank charges fees that are unreasonable, shop other banks. For example, so many places offer free checking that there’s no reason to still be paying for it.

These are just a few specific ideas for streamlining your household budget, but the principles apply everywhere. Always be thinking: How can I get this for less money? And do I even really need it in the first place?

Go through each line of your household budget today, and save even more.

» Household Budgeting - For Richer or Poorer? Say What?
The household budgeting process is a lifetime commitment. Living with your spouse for richer or poorer sounds fine during the church ceremony, but living poor does not have to be an option.

» How To Budget Money - What’s It Going To Take?
Discover how to budget money in a way that will work for you. What works for one person may not be realistic for another, so it is important that you create a plan that is realistic for you.

» Living On A Budget - Your Needs vs. Your Wants
Discover how living on a budget can change your life for the better, almost immediately. Simply by knowing where your money is going before it is spent will make all the difference.

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